Grain-binding machine



(No Model.)

G. EST IRL I.

4 GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

No. 281,623.. Patented July 17, 1883.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE ESTERLY, OF \VHITEWATER, WISCONSIN.

GRAIN-BINDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent .No. 281,623, dated July 17, 1883.

Application filed February 6, 1883.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE ESTERLY, of Whitewater, in the county of Walworth and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain Improvements in Grain-Binding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The first feature of my invention relates to what are commonly known as the Appleby type of machine, in which the gavels are fed downward by a packing mechanism between the upper surface of a binding-table and the lower surface of a breastplate, against a compressor-arm, and thus retained until the completion of the binding operation, after which they are forced downward between the two surfaces and ejected by means of an ejector arm or arms.

The particular aim of my invention is to avoid the loss of power ordinarily expended in forcing the bundle between the upper-and lower surfaces to effect its delivery after the completion of the binding operation; and to this end it consists simply in giving the lower edge or portion of the binding-table a backward or downward inclination commencing at a point immediately below that upon which the gavel rests while being bound. By adopting this construction of the table the bundle is relieved from pressure immediately after being-bound, and the ejector-arms thus relieved from a great portion of the resistance hitherto offered against them. This relief of the bundle from friction is advantageous not only in that less power is required to drive the machine, but also because of the fact that at the time the ejector arms are ordinarily brought into actionthe maximum amount of power is required to operate the various other parts.

(No model.)

being represented in position upon the side of the harvester-frame. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the construction and arrangement of the binder-support. Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the same.

Referring to the drawings, Arepresents the inclined binding-table or grain-receiver upon which the grain is usually delivered at the upper edge in a continuous stream.

B represents what is commonly known as the breast-plate, located permanently at a considerable distance above the surface of the bindingtable, and gradually approaching the same toward the lower end to assist in the compression of the grain which is forced downward between the table andbreast-plate.

O 0 represent the alternating packers, having a circulatory motion at their ends, and which act upward through a slot in the table for the purpose of forcing the grain downward.

D represents the yielding compressor-arm, extending upward through and above the lower edge of the table for the purpose of resisting the descent of the grain and assisting to compress the same, this arm being arranged to start the binder whenever the gavel has attained a predetermined size.

E represents the vibratory binder-arm, ar ranged to swing upward through the table for the purpose of encircling the gavel with cord and presenting the latter to the tying devices above the breast-plate.

G represents boards or guards hinged to the extreme lower edge of the binding-table, and standing normally in an upright position to assist in retaining the bundle in position there- H represents an ejectorarm carried by an intermittingly-rotating shaft above the breast plate, and arranged to swing downward and outward at the proper times to act upon the bundle and force the same down and out from the machine, these arms serving by their movement of the bundle to draw or strip the knot of the binding-cord from the tying devices.

The foregoing parts are all constructed and arranged to operate in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art, being essentially the same as those represented in Letters Patent No. 266, 254, granted to me October 17, 1882;

As heretofore constructed in this particular class ofbinding-machines,thebinding-table A, I with an outward or lateral curve, as plainly which extended downward a considerable distance beyond the pointat which the gavel was bound, has ordinarily been made of flat or substantially flat form from its upper to its lower edge, and the breast-plate also extended downward beyond the point at which the gavel rested during the binding operation. In consequence of this construction an increasing resistance was offered to the downward movement of the bundle until after it had been carried some distance beyond the binding-point. To avoid this difficulty and release the bundle I give the lower edge of the binding-table A a backward or downward inclination, as clearly represented at a, Fig. l, the hinged boards or guards G being attached to the lower extremity, as usual. The portion a may have a greater or less inclination backward, and the downward inclination may commence at any suitable distance above the lower edge, provided it stops at or near the point at which the gavel bears while being bound. lVhen the table is thus constructed, it will be perceived that the bundle is relieved from pressure at or near the binding-point and before it reaches the lower edge of the table.

I will now pass to the second feature of my invention-the means for connecting the binder to the main frame. The binder-frame, which may be constructed in any ordinary manner, is united to the main frame by a sliding connection for the purpose of permitting the binder to be shifted forward and backward with respect to the harvester in order that the band may be applied centrally both to long and short grain, as usual in this class of machines. The binder-frame is secured firmly to two horizontal rods or pipes which are arranged to slide upon the main frame, and which serve as a means of sustaining the binder thereon. In accordance with my improvement, the sus taining rods or pipes, instead of being attached to the main frame, as usual, are passed through brackets or standards bolted rigidly to the frame, and arranged to overhang or project upon the outside of said frame in order to adapt the binder to be shifted over or past the frame as required.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, J represents a portion of the harvester-frame; K, one of the horizontal rods 01' tubes attached to and serving as a support for the binder, and L the bracket bolted upon the harvester frame and sustaining the tube K. As shown in the drawings, this bracket has a flanged base or foot provided with holes to receive fastening-bolts by which it is secured firmly in position. From this base portion a standard extends represented in Fig. 3, whereby its upper end is carried beyond the outside of the frame J. This upper end is provided with a transverse hole of the proper size to admit the bindersupporting rod K, which may slide freely therein to admit of the binder being moved forward and backward. In the upper side of the standard a set-screw, M, is inserted to bear against the shaft K, and thus secure the binder in position. By tightening and loosening this screw the binder may be secured and released instantly, and, owing to the manner in which the standard is offset or thrown outward, the binder-frame is permitted to slide past or over the top of the main frame, so that the greatest adjustment required in practice may be made without disconnecting or removing any of the parts.

The present invention is restricted to those matters and things specifically claimed h erein, the right being reserved to make any features or combinations which may be described or shown, but which are not claimed, and the patentability of which may be hereafter discovered, the subject of a separate patent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The binding-table having its lower edge inclined backward from the plane of the upper portion, in combination with the hinged leaves or guards at the lower edge.

2. In a binding-machine of the type herein specified, the combination of the breast-plate, and the binding-table gradually approaching the breast-plate from its upper end to a point about that at which the bundle is bound, and having a backwardly-inclined or retreating surface thence to the lower edge.

3. The combination of the breast-plate, the binding-table having theretreating surface (a at the lower edge, the compressor, the packers, and the ejector-arm, cooperating substantially as described.

4. In combination with a grain-binder and horizontal supporting-rods K, attached rigidly thereto, a harvester-frame and supportingstandards L, having their feet bolted to the harvester-fram'e, and their outer ends offset or extended outward beyond the frame, and provided with openings to admit the rods, as described, whereby the binder is permitted to slide horizontally past the ed go of the harvester-frame.

GEORGE ESTERLY.

Witnesses:

J o W. RICHMOND, E. P. BURROWS.

IIO 

